This is my MRI radiology report from my very first diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis.  A good portion of this is significantly over my head but I have posted it for those who are curious as well as those who know more anatomy than I do!  :-)  My comments are in red italics.  Some of the personal header information has been removed (chart #, doctor, etc.) but the report is intact.  I used Omnipage Pro v.12 and I caught some errors which I think I corrected but a lot of these terms are foreign to me so there may be quire a few misspellings.  :-)  Enjoy.  The contrast is Gadolinium (gadopentetate dimeglumine).

You probably came here from my Blog but if not you will probably also be very interested in it: http://blog.thesmithlife.com


MRI of the Brain with Contrast
PATIENT: SMITH, ERIK
DATE: 05/16/03

CLINICAL HISTORY: Bilateral hand and face numbness.  (What I went to the neorologist for)

TECHNIQUE: Sagittal T1. Axial T1. T2 FLAIR and diffusion-weighted images were obtained prior to contrast administration. Following intravenous contrast, axial T1-weighted images were obtained.  (The link at the begining of this provides some good insight into the MRI)

FINDINGS: The ventricles, cisterns and sulci are normal in appearance. There are multiple oval areas of T2 hyperintensity within the periventricular and subcortical white matter of both hemispheres. Some of these line up perpendicular to the lateral ventricles. There is a focal area of increased T2 signal within the right cerebellar hemisphere near the middle cerebellar peduncle. Several of these lesions enhance following contrast administration consistent with active lesions. The diffusion weighted images are negative for acute infarct. There is no evidence of hemorrhage. There is no mass effect or shift of the midline structures identified.

IMPRESSION:
  1. Multiple oval areas of T2 hyperintensity within the periventricular and subcortical white matter of both hemispheres and a tiny focus within the right cerebellar hemisphere. These findings are consistent with demyelination. Several lesions enhance following contrast administration consistent with an active disease.
  2. The remainder of the brain is normal.

MRI of the Cervical Spine

PATIENT: SMITH, ERIK
DATE: 05/16/03

CLINICAL HISTORY: Numbness and tingling of the hands and face.

TECHNIQUE : Sagittal Tl, T2, STIR and axial 3D SPGR and 2D MPGR images were obtained.

FINDINGS: The vertebral body heights and disc spaces are well maintained. Vertebral aligrnnent is normal. There are extensive areas of increased signal on the T2 and inversion recovery sequences within the spinal cord. There are focal areas, one at the level of the foramen magnum, a second posterior to C2 extending approximately 1 cm. There is an extensive area extending from the midportion of C3 through the C6-7 level. These findings most likely represent demyelination.

C2-3: No disc bulge or protrusion is identified. No spinal stenosis, cord compression or foraminal narrowing is noted.

C3-4: No disc bulge or protrusion is identified. No spinal stenosis, cord compression or foraminal narrowing is noted.

C4-5: There is a minimal generalized disc bulge extending 1-2 mm in AP extent. No spinal stenosis, cord compression or foraminal narrowing is noted.

C5-6: There is an approximately 2 mm generalized disc bulge. This abuts the ventral spinal cord.. There is mild spinal stenosis. No definite cord compression is identified. The neural foramina are patent.

C6-7: There is a generalized disc bulge extending approximately 2-3 mm in AP extent. This abuts the ventral spinal cord. There is mild spinal stenosis. No definite cord compression is identified.  The neural foramina are patent.  (I have no clue what caused the bulge in my spine.  I have certainly been in a couple of car accidents and a couple of hard falls but never knew of this so who knows how long I've had it!)

C7-T1: No disc bulge or protrusion is identified. No spinal stenosis, cord compression or foraminal narrowing is noted.

IMPRESSION:
  1. Focal areas of T2 hyperintensity within the spinal cord. There are two focal areas, one at the level of the foreamen magnum and the second posterior to C2. There is an extensive area extending from the midportion of C3 through the C6-7 levels. This most likely represents demyelination.
  2. 1-2 mm generalized disc bulge at C4-5. No spinal stenosis, cord compression or foraminal narrowing is noted.
  3. Approximately 2 mm generalized disc bulge at C5-6. This abuts and flattens the ventral spinal cord. There is mild spinal stenosis. No definite cord compression is identified.
  4. 2-3 mm generalized disc bulge at C6-7. This abuts and flattens the ventral spinal cord. There is mild spinal stenosis. No definite cord compression is identified.

© Erik Smith 2004